World Cup Review

Day 21 of the tounement
Friday, July 2

all match review will be from the official FIFA World Cup Site at yahoo.com or at this address fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en for more Info.

Quarterfinals No.3
England v Portugal

Neither of these sides could find a way through during 120 minutes of entertaining and closely-contested action, with Portugal unable to translate into goals a numerical advantage they had held for almost an hour thanks to Wayne Rooney’s 62nd-minute dismissal.

The match therefore became the second 2006 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final to be settled on penalty kicks and, just as Jens Lehmann was Germany’s hero yesterday, so Ricardo was Portugal’s today, saving from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to leave Cristiano Ronaldo to stroke home the decisive kick.

First Half

2' A slip by Ricardo Carvalho gave Rooney had an early sight of goal but his shot was charged down.

7' Portugal failed to clear fully a David Beckham free-kick and Steven Gerrard worked his way into a crossing position on the right side of the Portugal box but overhit his far-post delivery.

9' A bright start revived echoes of these rivals' exciting UEFA EURO 2004 quarter-final. There were chances at both ends as Rooney fired a half-volley at Ricardo from 20 metres and Cristiano Ronaldo latched onto a poor John Terry pass and tested Paul Robinson with a low drive from a similar range.

13' From a Luis Figo free-kick into the box, England were left looking vulnerable as the ball ricocheted off a couple of white shirts but Tiago was unable to react quickly enough. Moments later Maniche let fly but his shot was blocked by a defender.

17' With England enjoying a spell of pressure, Rooney played in Gerrard inside the penalty area but his ball across the six-yard box was met by Miguel's boot.

19' The action switched to the other end where Ronaldo ran at Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville, jinking this way and that before firing a shot high over the bar.

39' Attacking down the inside-left channel, Figo stepped inside Frank Lampard and curled the ball just past the far post.

44’ Petit conceded a free-kick in David Beckham territory – earning a booking for his lunge at Joe Cole that means he will miss the semi-final – but the England captain failed to clear the wall. Lampard then drove a fierce shot at Ricardo as half-time approached.

Second Half

52':Beckham struck the ball at Nuno Valente's hand inside the Portugal box but referee Horacio Elizondo waved play on. It was the injured Beckham's last contribution before making way for Aaron Lennon.

53': The first opportunity of the second period fell Lampard’s way but with a clear shooting opportunity from Gerrard’s corner, the Chelsea midfielder shot into the ground and over.

59': England substitute Lennon burst past Nuno Valente and Carvalho, pushing the ball onto Rooney. He kicked thin air and Joe Cole fired the loose ball over the bar.

62': As at EURO 2004, Rooney's quarter-final ended early. Then it was injury, this time a red card for catching Ricardo Carvalho with a careless boot and shoving Cristiano Ronaldo in front of the referee.

68': Portugal finally put England’s goal under some pressure as Maniche’s strike was charged down and Figo blazed the rebound over from a tight angle.

78': After a patient build-up around the England penalty box, Miguel teed up Figo for a strike and the Portugal captain drew a diving save from Robinson. 82': Both goalkeepers were now being tested. Substitute Hugo Viana shot low at Robinson, then Ricardo parried a Lampard free-kick but Lennon's follow-up lacked the pace to trouble him.

90': England's ten men had Portugal's defence creaking and Terry shot just over.

Extra time:

99': England threatened as Gerrard drove into the area and crossed towards substitute Peter Crouch but Miguel got there just in front of the striker to head clear. At the other end Simao drew a fingertip save from Robinson.

107': Lennon skipped into the penalty area and went down under Valente’s challenge but Elizondo waved play on. Postiga had the ball in the net moments later but his header was ruled out for offside.

120': With Portugal pushing for a late winner, Miguel pulled the ball back to Maniche but he shot high over the top.

Penalties Kick Shootout:

Ricardo was the hero for Portugal with saves from Lampard, Gerrard and
Carragher before Ronaldo tucked away the winning spot-kick.

In conclusion:
A familiar tale for England, who once again exit a major tournament on penalties following a brave display. Portugal lacked the incisiveness to profit from their numerical advantage following Rooney’s red card but, as at EURO 2004, were more clinical in the shoot-out.

Goals
No Goals in Reg.
No Goals in Extra Time

Shootout Snapshot
Portugal - Simao (pen)0-1
England - Lampard (miss)0-1
Portugal - Viana (miss)0-1
England - Hargreaves (pen)1-1
Portugal - Petit (miss)1-1
England - Gerrard (miss)1-1
Portugal - Postiga (pen)1-2
England - Carragher (miss)1-2
Portugal - Ronaldo (pen)1-3
Portugal win on PK

Yellow Cards
England - John Terry (30)
Portugal - Armando Petit (44)
England - Owen Hargreaves (107)
Portugal - Alberto Ricardo Carvalho (111)

Red Cards
Wayne Rooney (62)

Match Stats
Shots (on Goal)
England - 13(7) Portugal - 26(15)
Fouls
England - 18 Portugal - 10
Corner Kicks
England - 6 Portugal - 4
Offsides
England - 0 Portugal - 3
Time of Possession
England - 49% Portugal - 51%
Yellow Cards
England - 2 Portugal - 2
Red Cards
England - 1 Portugal - 0
Saves
England - 15 Portugal - 12

Quarterfinals No.4
Brazil vs France

Thierry Henry’s 57th-minute volley was the game’s solitary, all-important goal, and with Raymond Domenech’s side inspired by a vintage showing from Zidane, Brazil could have few complaints at the final whistle.

France now complete an all-European line-up in the tournament’s semi-finals, with their clash against England’s conquerors Portugal scheduled for 5 July in Munich, a day after Germany and Italy do battle in Dortmund.

First Half

1’: Zidane produced some excellent footwork in the opening seconds of the match. Sporting golden boots, he spun away from the attentions of the Brazilian midfielders, but over-hit a pass meant for Thierry Henry.

4’: Brazil won a free-kick in a dangerous position after Franck Ribery fouled Ronaldinho, buy Juninho Pernambucano's shot deflected off Patrick Vieira’s head and out for a corner.

14’: After a sustained spell of pressure, France forced a corner. Dida failed to gain the cross comfortably, but got enough purchase on the ball to push it clear of danger.

15’: Play immediately switched to the other end and Brazil created a good chance to score. Ronaldo whipped in a good cross and Kaka was just inches away from steering the ball past Fabien Barthez.

26’: Lucio conceded his first foul at this FIFA World Cup when he clipped Henry’s heels. Zidane hit the free-kick over the bar.

33’: Ribery ran into Gilberto Silva and won a free-kick. Thuram charged into the box and got on the end of Zidane’s centre, but his header was aimed straight at Juan, who cleared the danger.

44’: Once again, Zidane was at the centre of the action to create a chance for France. After collecting possession and turning, he played the ball through to Vieira, who was racing clear of Brazil’s back four. Juan brought down the Juventus midfielder on the edge of the area and earned a yellow card.

Second Half

46’: Right from the restart, France were on the offensive. In the opening minute of the second period, Vieira met a Zidane free-kick with a glancing header, but the ball flew just wide of the post.

48’: Ronaldinho showed some fine touches to try and emulate the example of the enchanting Zidane. After displaying some excellent ball control on the right, he won a corner for the holders. Brazil managed to sustain the pressure for a few minutes and Barthez had to be alert to prevent Ze Roberto’s cross-cum-shot from finding the target or one of his team-mates.

54’: France had the ball in the net when Henry latched on to Vieira’s flick-on and slotted home, but the linesman rightly ruled the effort out for offside.

57’: Just three minutes after being denied, Henry broke the deadlock. A free-kick from Zidane was floated into the box and the Arsenal striker was left unmarked to steer a right-footed volley into the net.

61’: Ribery spun away from Lucio near the corner flag and attempted to square the ball to Zidane. However, the ball took a deflection off Juan and flashed just past the far post.

70’: France broke quickly and Ribery looked certain to score, but Dida narrowed the angle and blocked at the winger's feet on the edge of the area.

81’: Substitute Robinho had arguably Brazil’s best chance of the game, but the Real Madrid man shot wide of the target when well placed in the area.

88’: Ronaldo was fouled on the edge of the area by Thuram, and Ronaldinho stepped up to take the free-kick. With hearts in mouths across France, the FIFA World Player of the Year curled his effort inches over the crossbar to the great relief of Raymond Domenech’s side and their noisy supporters.

91+’: Substitute Louis Saha was played in by Zidane for a shot that Dida saved well. The goalkeeper cleared the ball downfield to put France on the back foot. Barthez denied Ronaldo with a superb stop and Gallas was on hand to clear the rebound ahead of Adriano.

In conclusion:
France fully merited this victory, orchestrated by the superb Zidane, whose performance was well worthy of the Budweiser Man of the Match Award. The 34-year-old was simply sensational in this match, supplying an inch-perfect cross for Henry’s goal and showing a superb range of passing and skills throughout the 90 minutes.

Goals
France - Thierry Henry (57)

Yellow Cards
Brazil - Cafu (25)
Brazil - Juan (45)
Brazil - Ronaldo (45)
France - Willy Sagnol (73)
Brazil - Ferreira Lucio (75)
France - Louis Saha (87)
France - Lilian Thuram (88)

Match Stats
Shots (on Goal)
Brazil - 13(5) France - 15(5)
Fouls
Brazil - 19 France - 17
Corner Kicks
Brazil - 5 France - 7
Offsides
Brazil - 3 France - 5
Time of Possession
Brazil - 44% France - 56%
Yellow Cards
Brazil - 4 France - 3
Red Cards
Brazil - 0 France - 0
Saves
Brazil - 5 France - 5

Semifinals
July 4 3:00 PM
Germany v Italy
July 5 3:00 PM
Portugal v France

Winners will play in the final on July 9th
Loser will play for 3rd Place on July 8th